Remembering Fromelles

In 2008 a number of burial pits dating from the First World War were identified at Fromelles in northern France.

In memory of the fallen of Formelles

Archaeologists began to excavate the pits in May 2009 and by early September they had carefully removed the remains of 250 British and Australian soldiers, buried behind German lines after the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916.

The British and Australian governments asked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to oversee the operation to recover the remains and to create a new cemetery at Fromelles for their reburial.

A special commemorative event will be held on Monday 19 July 2010, in the northern French village of Fromelles, to mark the completion of the archaeological excavation and reinterment of 250 British and Australian soldiers, who died at the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916.

This event will take place in Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, which is currently being built by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Interest in attending this event is likely to be high, but because of the size of the cemetery site, space will be very limited. A small viewing area, to allow members of the public to watch the ceremony, is envisaged, but details have yet to be confirmed.

To find out further details or to register your interest in attending this event please visit the CWGC website.

Images used in this article are reproduced with the kind permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.